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Public Invited to Review and Comment on Spruce Railroad Trail Environmental Assessment

The Spruce Railroad Trail Environmental Assessment (SRRT EA) was released today by Olympic National Park and is available for public review and download at http://tinyurl.com/SRRT-Olympic.

The 2012 SRRT EA supersedes an EA released last year and includes new alternatives, including a new preferred alternative, and environmental analysis.

"This project illustrates the value of public input," said Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Todd Suess. "Important issues were raised during last year's public comment period, particularly around accessibility, safety, and visitor experience. The plan has been reworked and is stronger as a result of the public comments."

A new preferred alternative was developed and is fully described in the SRRT EA, along with three other action alternatives and a no-action alternative.

Public review and comment is invited on the new SRRT EA for a 30-day period which begins May 10, 2012.

The NPS preferred alternative calls for the existing Spruce Railroad Trail to be improved and made accessible along its entire 3.5-mile length.

"The new preferred alternative would establish an accessible, multipurpose trail in one of the park's most popular destinations, while still protecting the unique and nationally significant historic and natural values of Lake Crescent and the Spruce Railroad," stated Suess.

The trail would be built to provide a 10.5 foot wide, firm and stable surface to be enjoyed by pedestrians, equestrians, bicyclists and people traveling in wheelchairs. Both of the historic railroad tunnels along the trail would be reopened as part of the trail; existing bypass trails would be managed for foot and horse travel only.

Comments should be submitted at the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment website, http://parkplanning.nps.gov by Friday, June 8, 2012.

Comments may also be submitted in writing to:

Superintendent - SRRT EA

Olympic National Park

600 East Park Avenue

Port Angeles, WA 98362

Fax 360-565-3015

To request a CD or hard copy of the SRRT EA, people may call the park at 360-565-3004.

Interested members of the public are invited to attend a public meeting to be held at 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. May 17 at the Port Angeles Senior and Community Center at 328 East Seventh Street in Port Angeles. An informational presentation will begin at 6:30.

Commenters should be aware that their entire comment - including personal identifying information - may be made publicly available at any time. While commenters can ask that their personal identifying information be withheld from public review, the NPS cannot guarantee that this will be possible.